Anyone Wood Grain Toning Collectors? - Post Yours!

There is no information, planchets are NOT made by the Mint. They are made by a third party, independent company and I'm sure there is no records and, if there were, they wouldn't release them to the public.

Typically, a big roller machine is used to make the planchets. They start with a thick piece of copper and then keep rolling it back and forth to make it into a large sheet. There are not "multiple" rollers, just two big ones and the metal just goes back and forth between them.

This process produces a lot of heat so a metalworking fluid is used to cool and lubricate the machine and metal. Over time, the fluid and the roller itself can become contaminated (these plants are generally dirty and nasty). If the roller gets gummed up with gunk, it can actually press impurities into the metal.

Yes, he is very nice.

That one is very nice as well.

Its much lighter than the photos show. Most of the coin is pretty tan, with just a few streaks of the traditional brown copper.

What's that on the rim near his shoulder. Looks like a tiny lam maybe?

@Cascade - It appears to be Lamination, a tiny bit. The coin has alot of character. Found it at a 2nd hand store not too long ago.

Beautiful!